'House of Cards' to film at courthouse in Towson

Kevin Spacey as Francis Underwood in "House of Cards." Production crews from the show will be in Towson next week to film at the courthouse.

Kevin Spacey as Francis Underwood in "House of Cards." Production crews from the show will be in Towson next week to film at the courthouse. (Melinda Sue Gordon / Baltimore Sun)

Alison Knezevich, The Baltimore Sun

Baltimore County's historic courthouse in Towson will become the set of the political drama "House of Cards" next month. The Netflix series' crew plans to film at the courthouse Aug. 7, though that date could change, county spokeswoman Ellen Kobler said.

The show, which stars Kevin Spacey and chronicles the dealings of a ruthless congressman named Frank Underwood, filmed at the State House in Annapolis last month.

Crews had initially planned to come to Towson next week, but those plans were changed, Kobler said Thursday.

The State House closed to the public for filming, but that's not the plan for Towson. The crew plans to film outside the building and on the second floor of the courthouse — in County Council offices, a library and a hallway, Kobler said.

"We're not anticipating disruption to normal county activities," said Kobler, who said the production company plans to reimburse the county for expenses, such as overtime for workers who might be needed to keep the building open outside of office hours.

Local officials who are fans of the show said the filming would add some excitement to what they say can be a mundane place.

"It's over dramatic, but it's a fun show – the political intrigue," said Council Chairman Tom Quirk, a Catonsville Democrat. "Politics are rough, but obviously they're very exaggerated [on the show] ... Real politics are a lot more boring than that stuff."

Councilman David Marks agreed county government doesn't offer the thrills portrayed on the series.

"I think it's great to see Baltimore County showcased in an Emmy-nominated series, although I don't think we have any of the intrigue of Capitol Hill," the Perry Hall Republican said.